One of the nice things about writing a blog is the fact that at the end of the day, you're beholden to no one over your content and you can just say whatever's on your mind. So I'll just say it like it is:
just GIVE already. Everyone has seen the devastation in Haiti. No one needs to hear any more heartbreaking stories or see any more horrible photos of destruction to further convince us that people are in need. T-shirts saying,
"I donated to Haiti relief," text message gimmicks, and celebrity-hosted telethons are nice and all, but at the end of the day, we all know what needs to be done, so whether it's $1 or $100, every donation counts, because the need is great. Don't underestimate what a few dollars can do, and don't be so worried about where the money is going to where the donation is never made. These organizations are well-established and have the infrastructure to handle the relief efforts:
The American Red Cross
Doctors Without Borders
UNICEF
Heifer International
If you can, enroll in a monthly small donation, if a charity offers it -- it can be as little as $7 a month, the price of a couple of skipped lattes. The destruction from Haiti's earthquake will not be resolved in five years, much less one. The ghosts of Katrina and Banda Aceh's devastation still walk, and this is a reminder that prolonged support efforts will be the most beneficial.
Every dollar counts.
GIVE.
Posts
Denise, thanks for leaving such a meaningful comment on my Haiti blog post and for your post here. It's so great to see so many people coming together to help out in any way possible. Your point about how a one-time donation isn't going to be enough. It will certainly help, but it will take so much more to bring Haiti out of the rubble.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. You know, I was thinking of posting something about it but I don't know what to write. I'm still bothered and disturbed about what happened but at the same time speechless. This is that time again that we help each other and you links are very helpful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind comments, ladies! I'm a particular fan of Doctors w/o Borders; have been a longtime supporter and they make their monthly plan very easy to enroll in.
ReplyDeleteHi all! I'd also recommend donating through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). I realize you may be skeptical about giving to a religious organziation, but they are second to arriving at disaster sites after the Red Cross. Plus, the nice thing is, since all of the administrative costs are covered already by the UMC (United Methodist Church) 100% of the donation goes to relief efforts! visit umcor.org to find out more and donate!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! That's a great idea -- if anyone has a particular charity/relief effort, please list it on the comments area. I just threw a few options off the top of my head in the post, but I know there's plenty of others out there!
ReplyDeleteMany stores (such as Costco and Whole Foods) are even offering the opportunity to donate at checkout. Heck, you can even donate while shopping on i-tunes.
ReplyDeleteI concur: "Just Give Already"
Thanks for providing this forum to get the word out about donating. This Saturday (Jan 23) from 2-5pm STIR Martini + Raw Bar and Emerald City Fashion Week are selling #Fashion4Haiti shirts. Proceeds of shirt and food/beverage sales will to to #Fashion4Haiti.
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